There has been a great deal of controversy over the years about using microwave ovens to cook foods.

Some reports say that because of the way a microwave oven cooks that it alters the structure of the food destroying all the health benefits involved with cooking using a microwave oven. Some studies by the Russians in the fifties have stated that eating microwaved food could lead to cancers and that carcinogens were transfered to the blood. They even banned the use of microwave ovens for many years but more recently microwaves have become an accepted part of of Russian households.

Studies done since 1990 across America at Universities such as Cornell, Kansas State and the University of Missouri have been fairly conclusive in there results regarding microwave cookery and that there are many benefits to using a microwave oven for cooking some foods. Here are five reasons for using your microwave oven to cook your foods with.

Cooking vegetables in a microwave has great benefits provided that it is done properly.

The vegetables must be spread out evenly on a microwave plate and be covered either with a proper microwave cover or a microwave safe wrap. The vegetables only need to be cooked for a short period of time and they do not have to be immersed in water, this means that the vegetables will not leech vitamins and minerals into the boiling water. The vegetables will steam in there own juices and retain most of the vitamins and minerals, as well as keeping a good colour and have a crunch.

The use of salt whilst cooking has long been an accepted way to enhance the flavor of food.

Using your microwave to cook your veg though means that because the cooking time is shorter and the food does not need to be immersed in water it will retain more of its natural flavors.

Microwave cookery with oil is much more healthy is very little oil needs to be used.

The use of a frying pan to fry foods has long been a standard practise, but some studies have found that oils when heated at higher temperatures can release dioxins a known dangerous toxin.

Microwave popcorn an be healthy.

We all know that eating corn as part of our diets is very healthy for us as the kernels fill us up, contain few calories and are passed through our system. Microwaved corn “popcorn” can be healthy if you do not put anything on it. It does though taste very bland and is quite dry. If you do though need to liven it up a bit use a light butter spray and just give it a very light coat.

Fish is one the best and easiest things that can be cooked in a microwave oven.

here is no need to use extra liquid and if cooked properly the fish will come out moist and succulent.

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